One of the great Sydney retailers, George Tavoukian, of G&V Imaging, died last week on Tuesday, July 12.
His wife Rose advised he had suffered a fall with subsequent broken hip three weeks ago, was admitted to Manly Hospital,operated on for a hip replacement, suffered complications, transferred to Nth Shore Hospital, had a pacemaker installed and then died last Tuesday.
His funeral was held last Saturday (July 16) at The Armenian Church, Chatswood. George Tavoukian was born in Beirut in 1940.
As many of you know, George was a very likable character who was quite unique in the way he ran his business. Having first met him in mid-1970, when he was opening his business in Nock & Kirbys hardware store, in George St Sydney, he often reminded me that I was apparently responsible for initially refusing him an account with Hanimex. That was never forgotten!
Over subsequent years he built the business to a major retail outlet that was positioned in a 1000 sq metre, two-storey retail outlet on the corner of King and George St, Sydney.
George was a member of the Kodak Camera Centre program (and a major Kodak customer) for a number of years before becoming an associate member of Camera House. I am sure he would agree that he was never comfortable within a group, and subsequently ended his retail life as a very independent retailer.
His well-attended farewell to the industry, organised by PMA, was one of the last major farewells to a Sydney photo retailer. Forever a salesman, that evening he was carrying a list of stock he wanted to clear on the closing of his store. I am not sure he ever sold all that stock!
George was a true character of our industry, who was a generous host, loving husband to Rose and his two children, and lovable, cigar-smoking ‘rogue’, who loved nothing more than pushing the boundaries. His energy in building a business from nothing, to one of the major photo retailers in Australia, was a monument he was justly proud of.
– Peter Rose
And from another former associate, Tony Quigley:
– RIP George. No doubt you have already done a good deal with Saint Peter for a good site on the main drag up there…
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